The Sun. — London, England, 1864-03-12 00:00:00

BONNE]." S SILKS a LYON.—Every Article of commerce takes Its title either from the inventor or manufacturer, and the more perfect the production the grater is the credit which attaches to the originator. BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica tion in England „• but the fallacy of such an assertion is ex poszcl by the verftrade mark of the firm, as exhibited by ➢iessrs. JAY, of Regent-street. The following interwoven mark may be seen at the end of each piece :--" Manufacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., h Lyon eta Injurieux." Wear guaranteed. TH[it. W. S. WOODIN begs to announce that he will have the honour of appearing in an entirely clew Enterainment, entitled _ . THE ELOPEMENT EXTRAORDINARY Al'.7D BACHELOR'S EOX, at the Poiy„7,raphic Fall, /(1119.: liam-strut, Charing. cross, on TUESDAY - 117, - ENING, March 22. ' Doors open at half-pa it 7, commence at 8. ROY AL 14',NGLISII OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN. Under the Management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison. THIS EVENING, for the Benefit of Mr. Wm. Harrison, THE HOSE OF CASTILLE : Miss Louisa Pyne, Mr. Wm. Harrison, Sco. After which, THE BEGGAR'S OPERA : Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Rebecca Isaacs, and Mr. W. Harrison. Doors open at half-past Six—Commence at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL DR U R Y-L AN E, Managers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, the Performances will commence with MANFRED. Manfred, Mr. Phelps. After which, THE; MAN OF THE WORLD. Slr Perti nax, Mr. Phelps. Prices as usual. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily. HEATRE ROYAL HAYM ARKET.— Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone. THIS EVENING, THE LITTLE DAISY. Miss Maria Harris. Followed by BUNKUM MULLER. Mr. Sothern. After which, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN : Messrs. Sothern, Bnckstonfb. Chippendale, Braid, Gordon, Bomers Clark, Cullentord, &c. ; Mesdames Angel, Snowden, Harris, Lindley, Hill, &c And SHOCKING EVENTS. Mr. Compton. Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter. 13EL DESIONIO (a Triumphant Success) will be repeated Every Evening during the Week. THIS EVENING, the performance will commence with a New and Original Farce, entitled THE LOST CHILD: Messrs. 11. Widdicombe, Shore, Garden, F. Charles Collett, Mqreland ; Misses Percy, Pauline Leclerci, Wood, Mrs. Lee, and Miss E. Lavenu. A ‘ter which, at ht o'clock, the 108th Night of BEL DEMONIO, a Love Story, in Twelve Tableaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian Chronicle.," by Mr. John Brougham. Principal character by Mr. Fechtcr, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charles, Brougham, Emery, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford, Ocsilett, Sims ; Miss Kate Terry, Miss E. Lavenu, Mrs. Lee,and 31Iss Elsworthy. The Public are entreated to take notice that No Charge is Stade to the occupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either foz play bills or for the safe keepimr of hate and cloaks, and that the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to receive any gratuities whatever. Box-office open daily from 11 to S. Commence at 7. OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, PAUL'S RETURN. After which, THE COMEDY OP ERRORS. The Two Dromios, by the Brother > Webb. And JACK'S ARRIVAL PROM CANTON. fT EW THE ATRE- ROY AL, ADELPHI.-. Solo Proprietor and Manaver. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE PRETTY HORSEBREAKER Mr. J. L. Toole and Sties Woolgar. 4.t Eight, LEAH : Miss Bateman, supported by Messrs, A. Stirling, R. Phillips, Bilington, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne; Miss H. Simms, and Mrs. Billington. To conclude with. 6th time, T FIE AREA BELLE : Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Romer, Miss Woolgar, and Mrs. 11. L ewis. Commence at 7. LEA H.-EVERY MISS BATEMAN. NIGHT, r c ct S r EVENING, ess3 1 11 t S h g e 1 13 3 9 A th TE appearance ltlN. ot i:j t E h eA . great A BATEMAN. in the character of LEAH. In consequence of the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso nation or the principal characrer in the new Five Act Drama of LEAH has been attended. Mr iVebster begs to announce that it will be performed E VERY EVENING until further notice. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Manarzer, Mr. W. H. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, ON AND OFF. To be followed by UNLIMITED CONFIDENCE. Mr. Belford, Mr. Parselle ; Miss Marie Wilton, Miss Thorne. After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS IND EURYDICE Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton, Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &o. Concluding with MARGATE SANDS. Commence at 7. ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the Management of 3tr. B. WEBSTER. Crowded with rank and fashion.-The New Comedy of THE SILVER LINING every Evening.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Stirling, Nirs. Frank Matthew? ' and Mr. J. L. Toole every evening-. The following emmentartistes are Engaged:—Mr. Benjamin Webster. Mr: - .T. L. To.de, Mr. Paul ThAtord, Mr. F'rederie Robinson. Mr. Ashley, and Mr. Chas. Mathews ; Mrs. Stirlimr, Miss Herbert, Mrs. Frank Mat tliewi+, Miss A. Cottrell, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Went worth. Mrs. Howard Paul, Mr. J. Clark, and Mrs. Charles bfat72ews. THIS EVENING-. and dtwinc , 7 the Week, at 7 o'c'ock. UNDER THE ROSE. Mr. Ashley, Miss A. Cottrell, and Misi Patti Josephs. At a quarter before S, the new Comedy, by L. Ruckin2- ham, Esq., entitled THE SILVER, : Mr. Charles INlathews, Mr. Frederic Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr, John s-one, Mr. Montazue ; Mrs. (diaries Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews, Thss Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, and Mrs. Stirling. To be followed by Mr. Charles Mathews just translated from the Frenehlin his characteristic character of Cn Anglais Timide, entitled COOL AS A CUCUMBER. Several novelties are in preparation. lIIE LAST THREE NIGHTS. fRACE EGERTON (Mrs. George Case), '. at the POLYGRAPHIC HALL, King William street (her THIRD SEASON in London), in her New and hiuhly successful Characteristic and Musical Entertainment entitled "A DRAWING ROO.ll TO LET." EVERY EVENING, at Eight. Saturday Evenimr„ at 8, and positively the last night. Stalls, 33. ; unreserved seats, 2s. ; area, is. Last performance March 12. METE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," ContalninE , , the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, Dan be had Every Evenin2 - , of G. R. GLIGNIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. COALS. —The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S COALS. Direct from their own Collieries. Marquis' oils. per ton. Double.. 2ls. per ton. Top 255. „ Nut 5........ 19s. „ Deep 22s. ~ Well screened and deliverer' within five miles of their De pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf, Paddington, W. Best Coke l7;s. per chaldron. Terms cash. JOHN SCOTT, Sole Agent. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAL—Morning, 4h. 51m.—Afternoon, sh, 10m. ro-uoßnow.-Morning, oh. 20m.—Afternoon, sh. 50m. Tho Weather—Sun Office, March 12, 1864. THERmo3sETER. This day at Two o'clock Barometer-30.03.-3 rise of half-an-inch since yesterday. Wind—S.W.; light breeze, and fine. c , 3 zi v r. jike IT, LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1864. Another breathing time has been allowed to the Government. The Cabinet is permitted to tide over the Easter vacation. Immediately the Houses shall have assembled again after the recess, it is as plain as a pikestaff, that the Contest of Parties, the contest so long looming up and so often postponed, must at length come on in earnest. And the Signs of the Times as to the result of that contest are but too apparent. Never have the so-called champions of Liberalism so systematically fooled away their op portunity as our present Administration have done ever since, now nearly five years ego, they w ere ine.ucted into office. They came in, it will be re membered, by what billiard-players would call a fluke, by what Sir HUGII CAIRN:3, in racy idiomatic phraseology, bluntly called a dodge. They will go out as those same billiard players would say << o ft the spot," and this, as the penalty not of one dodge but of a series of dodges—every one of these latter, unlike the first, signally and disgracefully un successful. They came in ostensibly to further the interests of Reform—but, Reform they, more effectually than any one else, more com pletely than any one five years since could have su pposed possible, have shut up altogether. They cam e in for the inauguration of a rational system of economy and retrenchment at home—instead of accomplishing anything of which they have steadily, during all these four years last past, maintained a war expenditure in a time of peace. They came in to mainuin unsullied the fair fame of England, to preserve undiminished the mighty influence or prestige of I:ngland in the affairs of Europe—but, in lien of rcolizing either of those noble ambitions, they have virtually caused England to abrogate her influence altogether, they have rendered the name of England at the Council Board of the European Powers far worse than a mere nullity, they have made it an object of jealousy and suspicion, here and there, even actually of derision. That such should be the indisputable results brought about by a Cabinet presided over by Lord PALMERSTON appears to this moment a thing almost incredible. It would have seemed a few years back incom prehensible to us that such should ever prove to be the case, with the Foreign Department placed under the governance of a statesman like Earl RUSSELL. But that it should absolutely turn out te be thus not only with Earl RUSSELL, as her Majesty's Foreign Secretary, but with Lord PALMERSTON, as Prime Minister of England, is, we repeat, a thing just nearly incredible even now. Still, incomprehensible, almost incredible though it is, that the fruits of this yet surviving Administration of so-called Liberals should be precisely what we have, point-blank, de scribed them as being, is a fact wholly and abso• lately undeniable nevertheless. It is so undeniable that the simple force of the recognition of it has of itself—without any extraneous effort whatever being made to bring about such results in the way of internal and external penalties—the simple force of the recognition of the truth of its being so has so operated that it has led inside the House of Commons to a distinct change in the Balance of Parties, and outside the House of Com mons, among the electors, and not simply among the elected, to the setting in steadily and strongly of a positive reactionary movement. Call it what ever you like, it is impossible to deny any longer the reality and the almost universality through out the United Kingdom of that reactionary movement. But, for something indubitably of that character we should not have been witnessing, what we have for some time past been witnessing, again and again repeated, the rejection of the Government candidate, and the triumph of the avowed candidate of the Opposition. An incident so often repeated, that the small majo• rity originally appertaining to the Ministerialists, upon the first formation of Lord PALMERSTON'S second Government, has long since faded out alto gether, giving place on the contrary to as clear a majority to the Conservative Opposition. During the last four sessions, in effect ever since the transfer of Power from the Derbyites to the Palmerstonians, the Opposition has remained almost wholly apathetic and inactive as an instru ment of Party—upon the whole, so inactive, so apathetic, that the old parrot cry directed against them in preceding sessions, by way of reproach, usque ad nauseant has dropped almost entirely out of parliamentary phraseology, the old monotonous taunt about a Factious Opposition. Loyal consi derations of an affecting earnestness have, during half of the interval, during two out of the four sessions last past, led the leaders of the Conservative Opposition to foregoing the often very tempting opportunities before them, the opportunities more than once clearly upon the cards, for assaulting the position of Ministers, with every reasonable prospect of worsting them in . the encounter. Those loyal considerations no longer interfere between the confronting parties, between her MAJESTY'S Government and her MAJESTY'S Opposition. Besides which the powers of endu rance witlYout the walls of Parliament, the powers of toleration within the walls of Parliament have long and long ago been utterly exhausted. Nothing whatever of any kind of interest,' or value is being even attempted by the Ministers of the Crown in the matter of our internal anministration—everything that is intoler able, vexatious, and galling to the national spirit is unhappily being done by them only too sedulously in regard to the making the already visible and flagrant confusion of the Foreign Policy of the country, worse confounded. There is no earthly consideration inducing us to wish further to retain in power these do - nothing Reformers, these meddling and muddling Diplomatists. The signal for the change that is looked for has become more and mote audible at almost every hustings to which the electors, whether borough or county, have for a long while past been summoned. The assault upon the Treasury Benches can no longer be delayed. Something in earnest is ex• pected—not merely by their own party, but by the country at large, immediately upon the reassem bling of the House of Commons after Easter—from the:resolute Leader and the serried rank-and-file of the Conservative Opposition. There appears to be in some quarters a strong opposition to the Government Annuities Bill, not withstanding the forcible arguments urged on its behalf by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the evidence which he adduced in support of them Setting aside interested opposition, however, it is difficult to see what reasonable ground for com. plaint or antagonism can exist. The Government are not interfering with private business in any arbitrary manner. They are not suppressing the existing Friendly Societies or preventing the esta blishment of new ones. They are imposing no new tax upon their incomes, nor are they compelling them to publish an annual balance-sheet. The Government insurance department is simply to enter the field as a fair competitor, possessing the one great superiority over all others, of possessing un limited capital and credit, it is true, but labouring also under several disadvantages which will enable more daring or more unfettered rivals often to out strip it in the race. Mr. GLADSTONE asked very reasonably what cause good and sound industrial societies had to fear the competition of the Govern ment, and proceeded to point out many points in which the chance of money•making is all in favour of the private societies. One main feature of the Government scheme is, that it is to be entirely self supporting, since none of its shortcomings can with any justice or propriety be charged upon the public revenue. Consequently, while it is proposed to offer liberal terms to those who are compelled to drop their policies, for a time, that indulgence must be charged for in the premiums. Then, again, the lives of young persons which form one half of the lives assured by the industrial societies are excluded by the Government, who limit their assurances above sixteen years. The Government, too, will of co urse be unable or those commission a gen t s w h o unwilling to employ secure so much business to this class of company, while a still stronger argument in favour of priyate insurances with many persons will be the difference in the investments of capital. The Government cannot invest their premiums at a higher rate of interest on the average than 31 pet cent., while private companies, as Mr. GLADSTONE pointed out, can with safety obtain 4, 41, or even ,5 per cent. This difference of incane must, of course', make a corresponding difference in the rate of the pre miums, and when we remember the many collateral and incidental ad vantages which private societies assur a nces can offer besides eff ect i ng c h e aper at a rate, we shall see that there is no reasonable ground for anticipating any overwhelming preponderance of Government influence. The claims of Mr. GLAID!TONE'S scheme to support are not numerous, but they are powerful. We have alluded to the favourable terms offered to those o, from illness, Accident, or loss of Work, are cowl pelted temporarily to suspend their payments. We may see a striking instance of the benefit which this arrangement would confer on the labouring classes by what is now going on in Lancashire. Supposing that the cotton hands had insured for any number of years, and paid their premiums with undeviating regu larity, no providence or self-denial would have en abled the most industrious of them to maintain such payments during the dire distress of the last two or three years —a distress brought on them by no fault of their own. If they were insured in the best and most liberal of private societies their claims would be irretrievably forfeited ; whereas, had the Government plan been in existence a few years back, they might have recovered their policies, or at least obtained some compensation for the loss. The working class are always liable to such contingencies, not, perhaps, on such a gigantic scale as in Lancashire; but what has happened there to thousands upon thousands is of daily occurrence in our large cities and towns to tens and units. The savings of the insurer go to the insurance office, and a working man is never likely to be able to put by enough to pro vide for illness or enforced idleness to such an extent as to enable him to continue his payments at such a time. Therefore this is a very sub stantial advantage of the Government scheme, and we should be glad to see it extended to an insurance for sickness or temporary distress from loss of work as well. Another advantage to the poor is, that in the event of their moving from one part of the country to another, they will know where to pay their premiums, and be able to receive their insurances without the delay or expense of travelling in search of them. These are really all the special advantages which the Go vernment plan can lay claim to, and it will be seen that they are all advantages to the insurer, not to the insurance office, The perfect security will, of course, induce many prudent artisans to avail them selves of it in preference to all others, but prudence, as we know, is by no means an universal possession, and more specious promises, reduced premiums, and other advantages will still prevent large numbers from ir.suring with the Government. The small amount of the sums insured for, since it must be remembered the,t Mr. GLADSTONE'S limit is £lOO, entirely prevents the project from clashing in any • way with the interests of the large established offices. Many of these, indeed, have expressed themselves most favourably about it—the words of the chairman of one of the Scottish Institutions being quoted by Mr. GLADSTONE in his address. This gentleman considered that the new scheme would increase rather than diminish the prosperity of the Life Institutions of the country, and spoke in earnest language of the advantages it offered to the poor. This is, indeed, its true claim to support. If it is really for the benefit of that poor and hard working class which insures for such a limited sum, it would be most unfair to withhold it from them if they are likely to avail themselves of it. If they are not likely to do so the scheme will soon fall to the ground, so that in either case the opposition to the measure is unreasonable and ill-founded. Those who averred so confidently a short time back that whatever mischance attended the Ministers in the House, they would have an unfailing source of strength in appealing to the country, will, it is to be presumed, now change their tons and mode rate the zeal of their partizanship. The results of so many important elections have unmistakeably shown that the general feeling of the country is against them. It is many long years since so many Conservative triumphs were recorded. To find a parallel we must take a retrospective glance at a period prior to the time which Mr. DISRAELI called the days of their " dreary Opposition," and survey the party as they were in their palmy days when Sir ROBERT PEEL was still their leader. It is quite absurd for some politicians to declare, as they always will persist in doing, that these elections are all chance. One here or there may be carried in consequence of the influence of territorial posses sions, or the effect of a chance irritation against the other candidate, but so many important places in town and country declaring against the Government of the day is a striking proof of their unpopularity. One cause or another has kept them in office for some time past; but they have no right to arrogate to them selves that they hold office through the expressed wish of the nation. Where it has had an oppor tunity of declaring itself, with very few exceptions the voice of the people has been against them. Only very ignorant or very infatuated statesmen can close their ears to such rumours, or remain impervious to the dictates of such teaching. The Hertfordshire election, which took place yesterday, resulting in the return of the Conservative by a majority of 255, comes strangely in contrast with the bombastic language of Earl RUSSELL in the Lords and of Lord PALMERSTON in the Commons. While they are declaring against all interruption, and inveighing against impertinent interference, or deprecating the inconvenience of publishing facts which should remain State secrets till it is too late to do any good in the way of fault-finding, one by one the ranks of their opponents are swelled by the candidates who have been appealing from the Minister to the people whom he affects to repre sent. When the Brighton election took place, it was argued that the Conservative got in because there was such a division of interests on the Liberal side ; but this specious plea cannot be put forward on this occasion, when there were but two who con tested for the privilege. Ic every sense of the word, this must be considered as a great party triumph, and it will certainly be found to be such whatever envy or spite may manufacture in the way of faint praise or open abuse. It is well that such should be the case, for it is evident to all who study politics as a science, and do not take them up as a party cry, that there is great need of a change. Toujours perdrix is a well known source of complaint ; it is inimical to the best interests of the country, which, after all, should be the chief consideration that one set of men or oae band •of politicans should want power and place, and monopolise all the functions of the State. Human nature rarely if ever can stand this trying test, and certainly in the present instance the experiment has been tried quite long enough. There is every reason to sup pose that things are now much changed since the old days of Whigs and Tories. One who took a survey of parties as they were when Sir ROBERT PEEL left the ranks of his friends and assumed the policy of his quondam opponents would have been surprised to hoar that in so short a time comparatively, as it were, the scene would bo changed, and the parties take each other's places in the opinion of the nation. The Conservatives have gradually gained in strength, and that must be mainly attributed to their in creased growth in enlightened and popular views. The Liberals, on the contrary, have rapidly fallen in public opinion. Through their fancied security they have become reckless, and regardless of those principles th e profession of which won f or them their former mighty position. It remains to be seen what will come of all this, bat at least it is satisfactory to know that if the Government attempt anything particularly unpopular or inimical to the spirit of the country, they will not now be able to boast with impunity of their majority, and point with lofty scorn to the thin ranks of their oppo nents. The best way of estimating the real worth of this Hertfordshire victory, as indeed of all similar contests, would be to reflect upon what opportunity it would have afforded to the Government had they won it, and what political capital they would have made of it. The Peace Society and the Emperor of the French, The subjoined Memorial from the Peace Society has been presented to the Emperor of the French : To His IMF ERIA.L MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH—THE MEMORIAL OF THEjCOMMITTEE OF THE PEACE SOCIETY. May it Please your Majesty,—The Committee of the London Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Uni versal Pease ask permission most respectfully to express to your Majesty the extreme satisfaction with which they have observed the proposal recently laid by your Majesty before the various Sovereigns and States of E drope for as• sembling an International Congress to adjust by mutual counsel and concession the unsettled questions that seem to jeopardise the peace of nations, and to concert measures for the mutual and simultaneous reduction of those great arma ments which have proved at once bo burdensome to the re sources, so dangerous to the peace, and so detrimental to the morals of Europe. Your memorialists represent a body who have been en gaged for many years in propagating the doctrines of peace on the broad grounds of humanity and religion ; but neither have they failed to urge upon the attention of Governments and peoples such practical measures for averting war and consolidating peace as have now happily received your Majesty's sanction. But to your Majesty belongs the signal honour of having taken the initiative in proposing to the States of Europe to substitute the arbitration of reason and justice for that of the sword, and to unite in relieving the people from the grievous burden of those warlike prepara tions from which unhappily the nations of Europe have so long menaced each other. The general and cordial re sponse with which the overture was greeted by the Go vernments to whom it was addressed sufficiently proves how entirely in harmony with the conscious wants of the age was your Majesty's generous thought. It is seldom that great innovations, however wise and beneficent, succeed on the first endeavour. But your memorialists cannot doubt that your Majesty's idea is destined to bear fruit at no dis tant day, strictly in harmony, as they believe it to he, with the dictates of reason and justice, the spirit of Christianity, and the tendencies of a progressive civilisation. And should your Majesty succeed in leading the Powers of Europe into the path of arbitration and disarmament, it will confer upon your Majesty's reign a glory far brighter and more enduring than any that can be reaped from the most brilliant military achievements, because it will be a glory derived from the gratitude of nations and the well being of universal humanity. And your Memorialists will ever pray, &c. JOSEPH PEASE, President SAMUEL GURNEY, Treasurer HENRY RICHARD, Secretary. The following is the Emperor's reply : To MR. JOSEPH PEASE, PRESIDENT OF THE LONDON PEACE, SOCIETY. Sir,—Your committee, in the address which it has for. warded to me, congratulates me on having proposed a European Congress. The enression of its sentiments touches mo all the more because your society, occupying itself, with an enlightened zeal, with the meaus of main taining the general peace, is on that very account better able to appreciate my constant solicitude for the attainment of that end, " Will you be my interpreter to your honourable col leagues, and offer them my sincere thanks ? Believe me, sir, with all sentiments, NAPOLEON. Mr. Cobden and the Sugar Duties. Mr. Cobden has forwarded the following reply to a memorial from the Rochdale Tradesmen's As sociation in reference to the sugar duties : London, March 10, 1864. Gentlemen,—l have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter respecting the sugar duties. lam no friend of custom houses, as you know, but if duties aro to be levied on im • ports, the most equitable mode for the consumer of levying them is on the ad valorem principle, This no one will, I suppose, dispute. It is said that this mode is impracticable in the case of sugar, owing to the difficulty of assessing the value of the different qualities. lam not quite clear that this is true. But if it be, it is another argument against cus toms duties, because it is an admission that they cannot be imposed equitably. As an approximation to the ad valorem principle, the present sugar duties are framed so as to impose a different specific duty on several qualities of sugar. It is urged in opposition to this plan that it operates as a protec tion to the lowest qualities, and to the refiners; and the fact adduced to prove this is that a very large proportion of the raw sugar imported is of so low a quality as to require re fining. I cannot, however, regard this as a conclusive argu ment in the matter, for we know that large quantities of ccpper ore are imported Lobe smelted in this country, though there is no duty on copper or copper ore ; and I know the proprietors of an iron works in Wales who import largely of ironstone from the Mediterranean, although they raise the same materials at their own doors. It is quite possible that if there were no duty on sugar of any kind, it would be ad vantageous to import low qualities of sugar to be refined in this country, inasmuch as the cheapness of fuel, the greater capitals, and the superiority in labour and machinery,might more than compensate for the expense of transporting theraw material from the place of growth to our shores. This ques tion has been much forced on my attention, and I really do not know why, as I have no voice in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's arrangements. In writing to you, however, who stand in the position of my constituents, I think it re spectful to offer this explanation, and to add, as my opinion, that if it should lie within Mr, Gladstone's competence to reduce the duty to a very small rate, it might then be al lowed to remain a uniform fixed duty. But if the present rate, or any thing like it, be retained, then I think in justice to the consumer there ought to bo ad valorem duties (which I am by no means convinced is impracticable), or a discriminating scale similar to what now exists.—l remain, &0., RICHARD COBDEN. Messrs. Joseph Handley, Thomas Brandon, and others. Vacancies, Promotions, and Appointments in the Civil Service; (From the Civil Service Gazelle.) BOARD OF TRADE-Mr C. Pettit and Mr W. W. Leaker have been appointed to clerkships. SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT—Mr P. C. Owen and Mr J. H. Pollen, M.A., late Fellow of Merton, Oxford, have been appointed museum keepers—Miss Trulock to be lady superintendent of the female training school—and Mr H. E. Acton a second-class clerk, South Kensington Museum. OFFICE or WOODS—Mr A. M. Hart has been appointed to a clerkship. LAW DEPARTMENT--Mr T. Swain has been appointed to be a clerk in the Master's Office, Exchequer of Pleas, London. THE POST OFFICE-Mr E. H. Pratt has been appointed postmaster at Coventry—Mr Briscoe from the probationary to the third class of clerks in the Secretary's Office, Lon don—and Mr. W. B. Challico a temporary clerk, London— Messrs. B. Perkins, G. Dumeldenger, E, Fisher, T. Pitt, and 0. Stanbridge have been promoted from the second to the first class—and Messrs R. Wilson, P. Cross, W. Lums den, T, Winkskill, and D. Commins, from the third to the second class of clerks, in the Circulation Department, London. EMIGRATION OFFICE—Mr. R. Reece has been appointed STATIONERY OFFICE —M r J. A. an extra tempora r y c l er k. Guppy has been ap pointed a sub warehouseman. INLAND REVENUE—Stamps and Tax Branch—Mr W. W. Jackson has been appointed to be assistant-surveyor of taxes. Excise B ranc h—Mr K e mp, officer, Alloa, fifth division, Stirling c o ll ect i on, h as b een a ppointed examiner— Mr E Cullinan, officer, Brentford, first division , to Ham mersmith, first divi s i on —M r W . R ee ves, officer, Camden town, fourth divisi on , t o B rent f or d, first division —Mr J. F. Snowden, officer, Norwich, fourth division , to Camden town, fourth divi s i on — an d M r. G. H. Madden, officer, Woking ride, to Norwich, fourth division. IRELAND.---11r G. 0. Hanlon has been appointed a clerk in the Commissioners of Metropolitan Police-office, Dub lin—and Mr T. M'Murray, Mr R. J. Brow, Mr T. F. Taylor, Mr J. De Glanville, Mr A. C. E. H ill, Mr J. F. Beveridgv, Mr W. Bailey, and Mr C. 11. Teeling, clerks in the Registrar-G enera l' s - o ff ice, Dublin. THE EAST INDIES .— M r R . F. Stack has been ap pointed to officiate as Solicitor to the Government of India Mr J. W. Twalling to be registrar in the Financial Secre • tary's-office—Mr I. G, Hewson to be probationer in the Financial Secretary's office—Mr A. T. 'l'. Peterson to be a member of the Council of the Lieutenant -Governor of Ben. gal for making laws and regulations—Lieutenant - Colonel J. C. Houghton to be commissioner of Cooch Behar-- Captain G. F. S. Browne, deputy-commissioner, first-class, Central Provinces, to Le Commissioner of the Jubbulpore division, vice Mr A. 11. Cocks, CB, resigned—Mr E. F. Lautour, to be additional judge of Bhaugulpore--Mr W. Ainslie to be civil and sessions judge of Patna—Mr A. E. Russell to be civil and sessions judge of Behar—Mr W. B. Buckle, officiating civil and sessions judge of Moorshedabad, to be civil and sessions judge of that district—Mr W. T. Tucker, officiating civil and sessions judge of Backergunge, to be civil and sessions judge of that district—Mr T. E. Ravenshaw to be a magistrate and collector of the first grade in Midnapore—Mr R. Alexander, to be a magistrate and collector of the second grade in Rungpore—Mr E. G. Birch to be a magistrate and collector of Balasore ; Mr. E. W. Molony to be a magistrate and coilector of the second grade in Jessore ; Mr H. F. I. Kean to officiate as joint magistrate and deputy collector of Behar ; Mr H. A. Mangles, officiating civil paymaster, a Government director of the Bank of Boinbay; and Mr W. M. P. Coughlan, to be senior assistant and sessions judge at 33reach, vice Mr LATEST INTELLIGENCE. jREUTEn'S TELEGRAMS.] FRANCE. PARIS, MARCH 12. The Emperor received the Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha yesterday. The Minister of the Emperor's Household has just charged M. Chenillion with the execution of a bust in marble of the late Cardinal Morlot. The Emperor, on the proposition of the Minister of War, has extended his clemency to 599 military prisoners. Out of that number 402 have had the remaining period of their punishments remitted, and the 197 others have had their terms of confine ment reduced. BOURSE, AL rch 11.—The market remains with• out any material change, bit with little business doing. Threes, for the Account, are now at 66f. 40c. Mobilier have receded to 1,040 f. Very little doing in Railway Shares. The market closed as follows : 41 per Cents .. 93 5 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month 66 45 Credit liobilier 1045 Do. end month 1042 50 Bank Shares 3310 Credit F oncier 1250 Roman — Italian Loan Do. end month — New ditto — Do. end month — Rnssian Austrian .. — Spanish Threes. e 5l 75 Elome Debt Deferred RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans lOO2 50 .. 1005 Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 927 50 .. 927 50 --- --•-- - • - - - New ditto Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa 585 .. 582 50 Ditto to Barcelona THE WEST AFRICAN MAILS, ---•s-- The Macgregor Laird, mail steamer, with the West African mails, arrived at Liverpool at 5 p.m. yesterday, with 1,690 ounces of gold dust, £5,000 i❑ specie, and 42 passengers. Her dates are—Benin, January 24th; Fernando Po, 29th ; Cameroons, 31st ; 0:d Calabar, February, 2d; Brass River, 4th; Bonny, 7th; Lagos, 10th; Accra, 12th; Cape Coast Castle, 14th ; Cape Palmas, 16th; Sierra L'...:one, 21st; Bathurst, 25th; Tencriffe, March 21, and Madeira, 4th. The rivers were generally healthy. A terrific explosion had taken place at New O. ilabnr, at noon on the 25th January. The hulk Merlin, the first vessel lying up the river, caught fire ; she was laden with gunpowder, and an explosion took place. The fire catching seven other vessels, which also had gunpowder on board, they likewise blew up, causing a fearful concussion and extensive loss of property. Signs of dissatisfaction had been given by the King of Ashantee, and the Government of Cape Coast Castle was about to paeify him. The Confederate cruiser Florida was penned up in Funchal Bay, Madeira, and the Federal cruiser St. Louis was preparing to cut her out. When the Macgregor Laird left Madeira the Florida had been refused leave to coal. The French in China, -- -0, The ./Ifoniteur de la Flotte publishes an interest lug letter from a correspondent at Saigon, the capi tal of the French colony in Cochin-China, dated the 30th of January. The colony is said to eejoy perfect tranquillity, and the rivers were never so safe, thanks to the energetic measures adopted against the pirates who infested them. The last harvest was most abundant, which, perhaps, is one of the causes of the tranquillity that prevails. In consequence of the great number of merchant ves sels which have arrived at Saigon the price of rice is well maintained, a fact which will dispose the natives to remain at peace. At the date of the letter there were 20 foreign merchant ships loading rice at Saigon. A great number of Annamites are demanding grants of land from the French autho rities, others are seeking employment. Euro peans are beginning to establish themselves outside of Saigon, and they are treated with great kindness by the natives. The land is culti vated in every direction, fresh gardens are planted, and the Saigon market is well supplied with vege tables. Although the population of the sown has tripled within 12 months the price of provisions has diminished, and it is expected to fall lower. The Annamites are delighted to find that the French authorities render justice gratis, and the custom of giving presents to the native magistrates is gradu ally losing ground. It is the intention of Admiral de la Grandiere to build a gunboat at Saigon ; hitherto the largest vessel completed was a whale boat. A naval arsenal has like Wise been commenced, and several workshops covered with thatch are already occupied. The Annamites are industrious workmen, and excel in imitating the work of others. The Annamite seamen likewise continue to render good service. The Admiral Governor is about to send several boys to France, as he expects that on their return they may be very useful as interpreter'. The Forbin has taken three; the European will take as many, and great numbers offer themselves for a similar voyage. Tllll SUN, LOADON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCI - 1 12, 1864 A New York Tragedy. (From the drew York Times, February 23. It seems that Mr. Frederick Eicheler, a German, residing in New York, some months ago proposed to a yoang German widow. The only obstacle to be encountered was the fact that Eicheler had then a:wife living somewhere in this country. He assured the widow that for good reasons he had commenced a suit for divorce against his wife, and that there was an excellent prospect of a speedy and favourable result. In that event the mar riage was to take place at once. The law's delay rendered the fair widow impatient, and when a fellow-countryman, named John Maen, proposed for her heart and hand she consented to become his, wife, and five weeks ago they were married. Since that time the husband and wife have resided at 60, Division-street. When Eicheler became cognizant of this fact, he was at first highly indignant, and subsequently very gloomy and dispirited. Last Wednesday morning he visited the place, and had an interview with Mr. and Mre.. Maen. He told the latter that he did not care to live any longer now that she was the wife of another. Late the following even- ing Eicheler returned to Maen's residence, and said that he was going to enlist in the army the next day, and had come to bid them both good bye. He took out his pocket book and offered some money to Mr. Maen, at the same time urging the latter to go out and get two bottles of wine, with which to take a parting drink. Maen declined to go for the wine, and Eicheler thereupon went for it himself. Subsequent events showed that Eicheler's motive was to get Maen oat of the room, and during his absence to murder the wife. This is the only conclusion to which one can come, judg ing from what immediately followed. lle returned with two bottles of wine and three tumblers. In each of the tumblers he had secretly placed a quantity of arsenic. Wine was poured into the tumblers, and all the persons engaged in the affair drank of it. Maen was, however, suspicious that all was not right, and drank very sparingly of the liquid. Eicheler was noticed to be very much ex cited during the drinking of the wine, and left hur riedly immediately after. 11Irs.Maen soon became alarmingly ill and remained so for many hours. Just as Eicheler was leaving Men's rooms he sud denly drew a revolver from his pocket, placed the muzzle near Maen's head and fired. He missed his aim, and the ball lodged in a wall behind his in tended victim. This was late on Wednesday night last. The next we learn about Eicheler is that he was found dead on Friday in his room at Clark's hotel, Death was the result of arsenic or some other poison. It is the opinion of the doctor, from all the circumstances of the case, that deceased died oa Wednesday Right. !the Pope and his Visitors, Tue following letter from Bonchurch, signed " E. V.," appeared in the 7 imes of yesterday : Sir,—How the present Pope receives those who have the privilege of an audience I know not, but I do know how that genial old man, Gregory XVI., received me when, in the spring of 1844, I formed a member of a somewhat large patty, including several ladies, to whom he granted an interview in the Vatican. We were introduced by the late Bishop Boggs, then Rector of the English College, and nothing could be simpler than the reception, or more completely de void of state or ceremonial. Our party, all Protes tants, met in the Sistine Chapel, all dressed in black, the ladies with veils, whence, after a short delay in the Gallery of Maps (so well known to all visitors to the Vatican), wo were ushered by a single ser vant dressed in crimson silk into the presence of his Holiness. There may have been other fatten dants, but I do not remember them ; there were certainly no Swiss Guards, or other officials visible. On entering the long room, at the end of which the Pope was standing, in his white skull-cap and long closely-fitting garment of white cloth, lean ing against his writing table, we made, ac , cording to instructions, three genuflexions—in simpler words, we "curtseyed" thrice. Nothing more was required of us, even this appeared to be un essential. Almost as soon as we entered the room we heard the portly old Pope's rich voice bidding us " Come forward" and " not to be afraid." In obe dience to his orders we formed a semicircle round him, he standing leaning against the table, chatting now with one of the party, now with another, most good-humouredly, and crocking somewhat poor jokes, which of course we took care to laugh at. The conversation was entirely in Italian, for, as his Holiness told us though ho understood French, if spoken very slowly, he could not speak it, bat of English " not a single word." After about a quarter of an hour spent in free and informal conversation, during which I re member his Holiness rather shocked us by using a red cotton pocket handkerchief two or three times rather noisily, he bowed and said, " Pad/one padrone," almost equivalent to our " Servant, and we left the Presence Chamber much gratified with our audience. Such was my interview with the head of the Ro mig! Church; very unlike that described by the correspondent of the Temps. Terrible Inundation at Sheffield. SHEFFIELD, Saturday Morning. Shortly before 1 o'clock this morning a great reservoir, at Bradfield, six miles from Stu:acid, burst its embankment. The area of the reservoir was 95 acres, and but just finished. This enormous body of water rushed down the valley of the Don, sweeping away all the bridges over the river, a great number of houses on its banks, and destroying, it is feared, scores of their inhabitants. The lower part of Sheffield was submerged several feet deep, and hundreds of families driven from their homes. The floor' has not yet subsided, and the damage is ineAlculable. Boiler Explosion in Spitalfields, Shortly before two o'clock yesterday afternoon the district of Spitalfields was alarmed by a loud explosion. It was found that a large boiler in the wood-sawing and turning mill of Mr. W. Sanders had burst just as it was about to resume working after the dinner hour of the workmen. Mr. San tiers' workshops were situated at the rear of 23, Slaver-street, King•street, Bethnal-green. It would be difficult to detail hero the amount of ruin and destruction produced by the boiler as it burst asunder, leaped from its place, and stood half upright. Oa visiting the scene of the accident, after midnight, we found the boiler pointing skywaid, like a huge telescope, the only object there that retained the form in which it had been constructed. All around was a mass of broken fragments of walls, of machine, planks, windows, several feet deep. while on all sides the walls of the rickety property seem tottering to their fall. Four of the workmen are now i❑ St. Bartholomew's and the Landon Hospi tals—viz., Joseph Mann, of 12, Long-buildings, Bunhill-row, with broken leg and serious contusions oa his head and body, and Charles Kean, of 9, King-street, Bethnal-green, wood turners (these are in the London Hospital); Thomas Robinson, of 6, Granby-street, Bethnal-green, sawyer, injury on the head ; and George Hall, of 2, Little Bacon -street, Bethnal-green, seriously injured (both lie in St. Bartholomew's Hospital). Edward Sparks, of 53, Gray Eagle-street, was at the works on business at time ; he is suffering from contusions on the back. H. Griffith, a workman in a neighbouring yard, is injured. Several persons sitting in their rooms in the neighbourhood of the accident have also been hurt. A child named Emily Reynold, and an aged woman named Rush, with a cut face, are known to be sufferers. The ruins are skirted on the one side by the Eastern Counties Railway. The traveller, as he looks from the railway on the ruins below, will scan the remains of about the following list :—First the entire set of buildings used by Mr. Sanders as engine -room and sawing and turning shed (these are a crumbled mass of fragments, with the huge boiler stand ing on its end among them); five houses in the rear of Farthing-street, with their windows blown away and the roof torn off; three houses in Patience street and houses in King-street, all broken and damaged. Much of the property is so shaken that Mr. Rees, the police surveyor, has ordered it to be shored up to prevent sudden and further mischief. The most extraordinary stories are told on the spot of injuries and escapes. When we visited the ruins as above, we found men prosecuting anxious search for the brother of Mr. Sanders, the proprietor of the works. This man was about the works before the accident occurred, and has not been seen since the untoward occurrence. Fears are therefore en tertained that he is now buried in the ruins, The Murder in Birmingham, DECISION OF THE HOME OFFICE. We regret to have to announce that notwithstanding the very general expression of tie public feeling in favour of the commutation of the penalty of death, in the case of George Hall, now under sentence of death for the murder of his wife in Birmingham, on the 16th of last month, the Home Secretary has decided that the law must take its course. This decision was arrived at last evening, and is understood to be final. The peculiar and painful nature of the circumstances which led Hall to take the life of his newly-married but faithless wife caused the jury that tried him to accompany their verdict of guilty with a strong recommendation to mercy, and it was hoped that the recommendation, sup ported as it was by the prayer of innumerable memorialists —amongst whom were the nearest relations of the murdered woman—would have induced the authorities to remit the capital penalty of the crime. Sir George Grey, howtver, has declined to interfere, and Hall will, therefore, be ex ecuted on the date fixed when sentence was passed upon him. PAYMENTS FOR COTTON AND WHEAT.—The full force of the great strain upon the monetary resources of the Empire last year, in consequence of the immense amount paid for raw cotton, has only become apparent from official returns published this week. Thus, we paid away under this head . £56,277,053 in 1863, against £31,093,045 in 1862, £38,653,398 in 1861, £35,70,889 in 1860, £34,559,636 in 1859, £30,106,963 in 185 S, £29,288,827 in 1857, £26,418,224 in 1856, £20,818,515 in 1855, and £20,175,395 i n 1851. Thus one particular industry was burdened last year with what was virtually an extra tax of no less than £20,000,000. The severity of this grievous impost was, perhaps, in some degree alleviated by the diminished pay ments for wheat, which tell to £12,015,006 in 1863, against £23,203,800 in 1862, £19,051,461 in 1361, £16,554,033 in 1860, £8,713,532 in 1359, £9,050,467 in 1858 £9,563,009 i n 1857, £1.2,716,3.19 in 1856, £ 9 , 6 7 9 ,578 in 1855 , and £11,693,737 in 1851. lIORNCASTLE GREAT SPRING FAIR.—At this annual fair (which was Ir2ld on Thursday) there was a good supply of stock, the show comprising bullocks, heifers, drapes, barren and mulch cows, &c. The demand throughout the trade was inactive, and prices if anything favoured buyers. Mulch cows mach £l5 to £'2o; bullocks and heifers, £lO to £l7; barren cows, £l4 to £lB per head. There was an immense quantity of sheep exhibited. There was a dull feeling in the trade, and prices tended down wards, The best pens of hogs made 63s to 725; other descriptions, 48s to 58s per head, Fat sheep sold at 6d to 7d per lb. w 1,!t(6,) cirtnitar HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, March 11. The Queen arrived yesterday evening at a quarter before 7 o'clock. The King of the Belgians, their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred, Princes Helena, and Princess Louise dined at Marlborough House, attended by Lady Caroline Barrington, General Count do Moerkerker Pr. Koepl, and Major Cowell. Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, and Princess Louise loft London at 1 o'clock to-day for Windsor Castle. I❑ correztion of yesterday's account of the dresses worn by the members of the royal family at the baptism of Prince Albert Victor of Wales, it is to be stated that the dress of her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice was of Irish guipure lace over white satin ; and that the christening robe worn by the infant prince was the same worn by the children of the Queen and Prince Consort. The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Prince of Wales rode on horseback yesterday morning, attended by Lieut.-Col. Keppel, and paid the King of the Belgians a visit at Buckingham Palace. The Princess of Wales took a carriage drive attended by Countess Da Grey. 'His Majesty the King of the Belgians visited their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales at Marlborough House. The Prince of Wales drove to the Zaological Gardens, Regent's Park, accompanied by Prince John of Glucksburg. A deputation, to present a Bible, Prayer-book, and Lectern, from 8,392 gentlemen of the United Kingdom, waited upon thair Royal Highness the Prince and Princess of Wales. Tee deputation consisted of the Earl of Dalhousie, G.C.8., the Earl of Shaftesbury, K.G., the Lord Henry Cholmondeley, the Lord Berners, the Lord Calthorpe, the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, M.P., Sir Brook W. Bridges, Bart., M,P., Mr. Anthony Lefroy, M.P., Mr. Hovsfall, M.P., General Powney, Mr. Colquh.oun, Mr. E. W. Buxton, Mr. Bateman, Mr. A. Campbell Colquhoun, and Mr. Richard Nugent, the honorary secretary. A deputation attended at Marlborough House to present their royal Highnesses the offering from the town of Kidderminster. The deputation consisted of Mr. Roden (Mayor of Kidderminster), Mr. Edward Morton, Mr. John Brinton, Mr. H. J. Dixon, Mr. J. K. Harvey, and Mr. H. Saunders, Town Clerk of Kidderminster. We are requested to make the following correc tions in the list published yesterday of those who had the honour of being invited to the banquet and evening party at Marlborough House on the 10th inst For " Lidy Mary Hood," read " Lady Mary Wood." For " Count Furstenstein, in attendance o❑ Prince John of Glucksburg," read " Baron Gut dencrone"—Couat Furstenstein having been spe cially despatched by her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia to attend at the baptism of his Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales. The following were by an error stated to have been unavoidably absent from the evening party :-- Th© Marquis of Carmarthen, the Earl and Countess of Morton, the Earl and Countess of Mac clesfield, the Bishop of London and Mrs. Tait, and the Hon. Frances and Mrs. Stonor. To the list of those absent tho following should 'oe added:— At the banquet, the Marquis of Abercorn. At the evening party, Lord Proby and the Chan cellor of the Exchequer. The Mexican Emperor at Paris. Oa Saturday, about four o'clock, the Imperial couple arrived at the Tuileries, where they were re ceived on the staircase by the Emperor, who em braced the Archduke, and shook hands with the Archduchess. Ho then offered the latter his arm, and conducted her towards the Empress, who was waiting to receive them. There, the order of things was reversed, her Majesty embracing the Princess cordially, and giving her hand to the Archduke, when the whole party proceeded to the Empress's saloon, where the usual presentations took place. The Pavillion Marsan had a suite of rooms pre pared for the illustrious guests, who, in the evening, founri themselves sufficiently refreshed to go to the Gymnase and assist at the first representation of a new piece by Alexander Dumas, .fi/s, entitled " L'ami des Femmes." The following day, Sunday, the Imperial party drove in the Bois' de Boulogne, giving all the good bourgeoise of Paris the spectacle of the granddaughter of Louis Philippe side by side with the partner of Louis Napoleon, the successor to his throne and the spoiler of his son's fortunes ! The Archduke is a very intelligent, good-looking young man, about 32 years of age, but looking rather younger from the slimness of figure and his fair hair and beard. The Princess Charlotte, daughter of the King of the Belgians and of Louise of Orleans, is very pretty, and has a countenance full of animation and intelligence. She is said to have great influence with her husband, and to have readily assented to, if not even advocated, the Mexican scheme. Sunday there was a grand dinner at the Tuileries, at which the Austrian Ambassador and the Princess Metternich, with several other Ministers were in vited. In the evening an impromptu theatrical representation was organised, some of the actors of the Theatre Francais were sent for, and without scenery, decoration, or further preparation, Mlle. Plessy, Bressent, and Delaunay acted a charming little piece called " Le Bougeoir," which is com pletely a comedic) de salon, and, therefore, quite adapted to the occasion. Monday, a family din' ner was given, after which the third grand concert of the Tuileries took place, Patti, Mario, Dello Sadie, and one or two other vocalists of the Italians attending. The Empress was dressed in a pearl grey dress with diamonds round her neck, and on her head. The Archduchess wora a sky-blue satin robe richly ornamented with blondes and ribbons, and round her throat and arms a set of sapphires and diamonds of great beauty, and a coronet of the same gems on her head. The visit seems to be prolonged longer than was announced, as a visit to the grand opera is projected for next Friday, after a dinner and theatrical entertainment on Thursday at the Palace. It seems yet very, doubtful whether their Imperial Highnesses will remain long enough to allow the grand ball, which was spoken of as about to be given in their honour, to take place at the Hotel do Ville. - THE LEVEE THIS PAY.--A levee was held to. day by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, ou behalf of her Majesty. The presentations were very numerous, but the attendance of company usual on such occasions was very much restricted, owing to the notification issued a short time ago that gentlemen who had been once presentee' would not be expected to attend other levees. THE REGISTRATION OF PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR, —On Friday, the II th of March, the Registrar- General, accompanied by the registration officers of the Windsor district, attended at Marlborough House, where th , civil registration of the birth of the infant prince was elf cted by Mr. W. Towers, the registrar of births and deaths e t Windsor, his Royal High.. ess the Prince of "Wales sigiiW the register book of births as father and informant. THE ARCHDUKE AND ARCHDUCHESS MAXIMI WAN after leaving P. - ais, on their way to Mexico, it stated, are to pay a visit to our Queen before proceeding to their new dominions. It is expected that the Archduke will embark at Trieste sometime about the end of the month• 1: he Mexican crown will be offered to ''im by a deputation from Mexico, t►nd will be accepted by him at the Chateau of Miramar. Toe D alto and Duchess of Sutherland entertained a select party of friends at dinner last evening at Staffor d House, St. James's. The duchess afterwards received 61 small circle of friends. The Countess Russell had an evening party last night at the family residence in Chesham-place. Most of the foreign Mi n i s t ers , an d a numerous c i rc l e of t h e no bility paid their respects to her ladyship. Lady Clifford has arrived at the Portland Hotel, Southsea, from Exeter. The Right Hon. Sir William Hayter, M.P., La d ' Hayter,and Col. Hay ter have arrived in town from Brighton. Sir John and Lady Dillon are making ti lengthened stay at Southso,